Locke (Aces MC Series Book 4)

by Foster, Aimee-Louise

  The kiss ended naturally and I opened my eyes to see Locke staring at me, "What's up?"

  He let out a sigh, "Nothing babe." He let go of me and stepped back to lean against the kitchen unit, "Haven't you got work today?"

  "It's Sunday, a day of rest," I stated seeing Locke look a little perplexed.

  "Sorry I've totally lost track of time, it's like one day's just rolled into the next." Locke said quietly as he folded his arms across his chest which ripped the material of my dressing gown. "Shit!"

  I burst into laughter as Locke lifted his arm to investigate the large gaping hole he'd created, "I'm sorry Irish I hope this wasn't one of your favourites." I wiped the tears that were now streaming down my cheeks at the surreal moment. I really enjoyed this carefree fun side of Locke, it was just a shame that he wasn't like it more often.

  I took two cups from the draining board and placed them onto the worktop, "I gave Declan a quick text this morning to let him know that I won't be around much today but I can't promise that he won't pop in at some stage." I said as I busied myself making our hot drinks.

  Locke sniggered, "That's fine, I wouldn't expect anything less."

  I finished making our drinks and carried them into the living room, placing them on to the coffee table between the two sofas. "So while you were away, I did some digging on you."

  "Should I be worried?" Locke asked raising his brows.

  "No because the women at the club couldn't tell me much."

  "I'm glad to hear it."

  "Why? Is that a good thing?" I asked.

  Locke shrugged, "I don't like people knowing my business."

  "Obviously! I don't think you got your name because you're a locksmith, I think you got it because you've got so many locked secrets."

  "You couldn't be much closer to the truth!"

  We were interrupted by Locke's phone ringing. He tried to carry on the conversation ignoring the obvious, "Have you always been so close to your brother?"

  I pointed at the phone then back at him several times, "Aren't you going to answer that?"

  "Nah." Locke leant over and picked up the phone, and turned the sound off so that we wouldn't be disturbed further.

  "Shouldn't you at least see who's calling you?"

  "Not interested babe, like I said I need some time away and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

  I nodded my head, "Well if I'm going to have you all to myself for a couple of days, we better find a way of keeping you occupied and out of trouble."

  "I like your way of thinking," Locke stated raising his brows.

  "So do I, I've got some shelves that need putting up!"

  Chapter 16

  Keira

  "Are you sure it's okay Keira?" Louise asked lingering at the door.

  I smiled, "Of course it is. I've borrowed Declan's Nintendo Wii so we'll have some fun and I'll probably order some food rather than cooking if that's okay?" I ruffled Tommy's and Devon's hair simultaneously before turning my attention back to Louise.

  "A takeaway would be fine." Spike stated before wrapping his arm around Louise's shoulder. "Come on babe the kids will be fine but we need to speed things up if we're gonna get to the restaurant by 7.00pm."

  I saw the struggle on Louise's face as she debated leaving the children with me. They'd been through so much this week but it had also taken its toll on Louise and she needed to spend a bit of quality time with Spike without the children. I could understand that she didn't want to leave them but Liam was out of the picture and the club had stepped up their security to make sure something like this never happened again but as a mother this still hadn't reassured her completely.

  "I'll get a prospect to sit outside and keep an eye on things if you want babe?" Spike said softly trying to reassure her.

  I placed my hand gently on Louise's arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You'll be gone two hours at the very most and remember Locke's here to keep us company."

  Spike lifted his brows surprised at the mention of Locke's name, "So this is where he's been hiding."

  I slowly nodded and felt my cheeks redden under his scrutiny but noticed Louise relax slightly knowing that one of the club members would be here should I need him.

  Louise let out a sigh before she crouched, "Come here you two." She opened her arms wide beckoning the twins, Tommy smiled and jogged towards Louise to be wrapped in her embrace.

  "Mum you've given me three hugs already," Devon whined dragging her feet as she walked slowly towards her mum.

  I sniggered at Devon's boldness, she had an old head on a pair of very young shoulders. The children had been through so much but this just showed the resilience of a child.

  "I'm your mother and I can give you as many hugs as I like." Louise said authoritatively as she scooped Devon in for a huge hug with her free arm.

  Spike glanced at his watch, "Come on Angel, we're gonna be late."

  Louise gave first Tommy a kiss on the cheek and then Devon before standing and grabbing for Spike's hand. "Please look after my babies."

  Tommy and Devon came to stand beside me, "We'll be fine, wont we kids?"

  "Yeah!" they shouted in unison.

  Louise pursed her lips still looking unsure but was pulled gently towards the stairs by Spike.

  "Did I miss them?" Locke asked as he strolled into the living room from the bathroom.

  I nodded, "Yeah they've just gone."

  Locke made his way across the room and picked up the pile of games from the coffee table, flicking through what was on offer with a grimace on his face, "What's this shit!"

  Devon and Tommy sniggered at Locke's foul mouth, "Sorry kids please ignore Locke's rude mouth." I stated apologising for him.

  "That's okay, mummy has to tell Spike off when he says naughty words." Devon stated as she also looked through the games on offer. "Can we play this one?" Devon asked holding up Wii sing UK hits.

  Locke snatched the game from Devon excitedly and put it into the console, "Yeah that's better than me trying to fucking dance."

  "Locke!"

  "Sorry," he said sheepishly as the twins giggled.

  "Shouldn't you let Tommy have the other mic?" I asked seeing Tommy's sad face as Locke picked up the microphone. Locke stuck out his bottom lip pouting as he passed the microphone to a now excited Tommy.

  "What about we play winner stays on?" Locke asked as he sat on the sofa.

  Devon glanced over her shoulder, "Can you even sing?"

  Locke placed his hands over his heart mocking the fact he was hurt, "Devon you're looking at a former Karaoke champion. So I can not only sing but I've won trophies for my singing." Devon scoffed and turned her attention back to the game as she selected her song.

  "What do you want to drink kids?" I asked over the sound of the music.

  "Have you got coke?" Tommy asked excitedly.

  I nodded, "Yeah. Devon do you want the same?"

  "Yes please. Mum doesn't usually let us have it, she says it rots our teeth."

  "Your mum's correct but we'll let you have a little glass this evening. Just make sure you brush your teeth before you go to bed."

  I walked into the kitchen and could hear the chatter as the twins bickered over who was singing what part of the song. I smiled to myself as I listened to the heart warming noise of normality and how Locke had agreed to stay with me this evening to help look after the children, and allow Spike and Louise to spend some quality time together.

  My tummy rumbled and I knew that I'd better think about getting some dinner ordered, "Spike said that it's okay to get you a takeaway for dinner. What do you want?"

  "KFC!" The twins both shouted together.

  I sniggered at their excitement, "If KFC is what you want, than KFC is what you shall have." The children paused their game and glanced in my direction, "So what do you want from KFC?"

  "Can I have popcorn chicken please?" Devon asked licking her lips and rubbing her tummy. I sniggered at the gesture and looked towards Tommy, "An
d what would you like little man?"

  "Can I have the same please?"

  I smiled at how polite these children were, "You certainly can Tommy."

  "It's late I'm not having you go, I'll pick it up." Locke stood and fumbled around for his keys. "What do you want?"

  "Just a chicken burger will do." Locke nodded his head keeping a mental note of what he needed to order. "And have you got a trailer on the back of your motorcycle?" Locke looked at me confused. "How will you get the food back?" Locke smiled at my sarcasm. I grabbed my keys from the side board and threw them to him, "Take my car, it's the blue Mini parked in the rear car park."

  "Mini?"

  "I'm sure you can fit in it." I stated sniggering.

  Locke stalked towards me and took my mouth passionately. He pulled away briefly, "I love your smart mouth." He stated as he leaned down to place a kiss on the end of my nose, "I won't be long." Locke left through the back door that led onto the fire escape that would take him directly to the car park at the back of the shop. I closed the door behind him before I sat on the sofa to watch Tommy and Devon take turns to sing, it made me smile because it reminded me of the relationship that I had with Declan.

  I was pulled from my thoughts by a big bang coming from the front door. Tommy's eyes widened as he stared at me with concern before he shuffled over to Devon.

  "Keira I'm scared," Devon said as she wrapped her arm around Tommy pulling him in close.

  "It's probably nothing but why don't you take Tommy into the bedroom." I whispered pointing in the direction of my door.

  The children walked briskly towards the room and I registered the horror on Devon's face as she witnessed me grab the baseball bat that I kept by the front door for security. "Just close the door honey, I'll be back soon." I said softly to try and reassure her.

  She did as she was told and closed the door quietly which made me feel a little better that they were out of sight should something be wrong. I took a large breath trying to muster the courage to go and investigate, and turned the handle to the door that led to the stairs but was pushed back as someone entered the room. The force knocked me to the floor and the baseball bat rolled from my hand as I turned my attention to who was trying to get into my flat.

  "Well, well, well! What do we have here?"

  I looked at the tall man who stood easily over 6ft. His greying hair was slicked back into a long ponytail and I instantly noticed his distinctive black eyes, they looked soulless.

  I scrambled on the floor moving backwards trying to get my footing but I was halted as the man leaned down to grab a handful of material from the t-shirt I was wearing. He yanked me, pulling me to my feet as I frantically tried to get away but it was no use he was too strong.

  He placed his other hand behind my head and pulled me to his chest, "You're a little scrapper, I could have some fun with you." He opened his mouth and I managed to turn my head to avoid his tongue but he licked my cheek instead. "The more you fight babe, the more you turn me on."

  He continued to hold me roughly as he led me further into the living room, I twisted and turned in his arms trying to find some kind of release but my resistance to comply only tightened his grip at the back of my neck.

  He slung me onto the wooden chair positioned at the table I became startled as I got a whiff of petrol and I quickly glanced around the room to finally see a second man standing in the doorway. He smiled sardonically at the situation before he stalked into the room.

  "Hustler, get the rope. I want her tied to this chair." I tried to stand but he thumped me hard in the face. The force of the punch made the skin around my eye immediately swell and I found it difficult to focus. I shook my head knowing that I needed to stay awake, to take in as much about their appearance and the situation as possible but I became dizzy from the impact.

  My thoughts turned to the children who were probably cowering under the bed or in the wardrobe at the fear of being discovered, they'd been through so much in their short lives that I could only hope that this robbery was over soon and they wouldn't have to witness anything.

  "There's money in the safe at the back of the shop, the keys are in my handbag." I shouted hoping that they would take it and just leave without hurting me further.

  "Onyx, she thinks it's a robbery. Are you sure you've got the right girl?"

  Right girl? What would they want with me if this wasn't a robbery?

  "Oh yes, this is the right girl alright. It's just a shame that we aren't meeting in different circumstances though Keira." He looked at me intently and sniggered when he saw my eyes widen as he referred to me as my name. How the fuck did this vile man know who I was and why the fuck was he here?

  "The two kids that are here, are they Locke's kids?" Onyx asked as he crouched in front of me. I tried to focus but my eye was closing up from the swelling.

  "Now don't look at me all confused or try to hide facts Keira because you'll only end up getting hurt. I'll ask you again, are the two kids Locke's?"

  How the hell did he know that Tommy and Devon were here? He must've been watching, lying in wait until Locke left us.

  Crack! I let out a yelp as Onyx's fist met my jaw and immediately tasted blood, "Last warning babe before it really gets nasty. Are they Locke's kids?"

  "No." I said shakily.

  "See, that wasn't so difficult, was it?" I shook my head slowly indicating that I understood. My head was throbbing and I was trying to waste time hoping that Locke would be back soon to deal with them but concerned that he'd also get hurt. If only I knew what they wanted, I could give it to them and then they'd go.

  "Are they another club members kids?"

  "Yes." I stated hoping that this would deter him from hurting them as that would come with massive repercussions.

  "You're doing good Keira, now I want you to tell me everything you know about Locke." Onyx sat back on his heels and waited for me to talk.

  "I don't know anything?" I stated, finding it difficult to get the words out.

  "Don't know or won't tell?" he asked moving closer. I could smell stale smoke on his breath as he reached to grab a handful of my hair. My breathing was laboured from the fear of what he planned to do next and I could feel my eyes getting heavy.

  "Your boyfriend's been lying to a lot of people and because of that I have to teach him a lesson, he took something precious from me and now he has to pay the price." I looked at him still confused as he spoke in riddles regarding Locke. "I know what you're thinking babe, I killed his family so he killed mine seeking revenge but it doesn't work like that." Onyx stood and stepped back, "Today I'm raising the stakes, the problem being babe they involve you and the kids. He thought losing his family was bad, you wait until he loses you and those kids." He chuckled as he turned and nodded to Hustler.

  I could hear the sound of liquid being splashed down the stairs and knew that they planned to set the flat alight with me and the kids in it but what was I to do? If I tried to get free he would injure me further, I just needed to wait for him to leave and only hoped that I had enough time to get the children to safety.

  Onyx returned his attention back to me, "The club member whose kids they are will want Locke dead. It's a win win situation from where I'm standing." He grinned and slowly walked through the living room towards the door, "I'm sorry it had to end like this babe, wrong place, wrong time and all that." Onyx closed the door behind him with a thud.

  "Fuck!" I frantically tried to release my hands but Hustler had tied the knot too tight. I managed to loop a finger inside the rope and pulled but it only tightened further and I knew that I was just wasting valuable time.

  I tried to shout for Devon but the volume of my voice was hampered by my swollen tongue as I couldn't form the words. I felt helpless and frustration built inside me as I tried to rationalise the situation but I knew that I was running out of time.

  Luckily they hadn't tied my legs. I was able to stand but had to stoop low as my hands were still fastened to the chair behin
d me. I scurried awkwardly across the living room hampered by the chair on my back and the inability to be able to see out of one eye.

  I noticed smoke seeping into the living room from underneath the door and hurried into the kitchen, I needed to get something that would cover the gap at the bottom of the door.

  I manoeuvred myself into the kitchen and riffled around the worktop trying to catch the tea towels between my teeth. My anxiety made the process difficult and it felt like I was trying to catch a bobbing apple at the fun fair. I screamed through frustration and stood back taking a deep breath before I tried again, and this time I was successful and managed to scoop them into my mouth. Biting down on the material hard, I backed out of the kitchen carefully and rushed over to the door. I managed to release the tea towels and watched as they dropped to the floor before I brushed them with the side of my foot towards the gap. The smoke was bellowing through the gap and my heart sunk when I saw that the material only covered half of the width of the door still allowing the smoke to pass through. I knew that I didn't have long to vacate the building as I inhaled the smoke, and quickly moved from the door as I spluttered by the intrusion into my lungs.

  "Tommy! Devon!" I tried to scream their names but this was still made difficult because of the injuries to my lips. I head butted the door trying to get their attention but the children remained silent probably still scared that they were going to come to harm. I coughed hard and I could fill my lungs hurt as they filled with the black smoke that pumped aggressively into the room. "Tommy! Devon! Please open the door." I said weakly as I became nauseous. My head was thumping from the earlier punch to the face from Onyx but I needed to keep going and get help.

  I stumbled to the rear exit and tried to reach the catch on the door but my movements were restricted by the chair secured to my back.

  "Come on Keira, get it together." I scolded myself knowing that I needed to focus. I coughed again and was finding it increasingly hard to breathe, I needed to get my hands free and knew that I had scissors in a draw in the kitchen. Visibility was becoming difficult, I slowly manoeuvred myself around the furniture but I misjudged the position of the table and stumble, falling to the floor hard.